Stamp-affixing machine.



.l. C. STRNAD.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 1910.

mums. Patented June 1, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET I.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO. FHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTON Dv c 1. c. STRNAD.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. 1910.

1,141,666. Patented June 1, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 9662;, V T/E/En ,Sfr7ma? I W w w mm J. C. STRNAD.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. 1910. 1,141,666.

Patented June 1, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WWW/Mal THE NORRIS PETERS C0,, PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON, D. C.

J. C.. STRNAD.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 20. I910.

1 1 4 1 ,666 Patented June 1, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ummm I .3 M g 1/51 nasfy az W THE NORRIS PETERS 60 FHOTD-LITHOH WASHINGTON. J c.

TJ'ETTEE STATES PATENT oEEroE JOHN C. STRNAD, OF HIGHLAND PARK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO MAIL-OM-ETER COMPANY, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A

CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

STAMP-AFFIXING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

To all whom it concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN- C. STRNAn, a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Highland Park, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Affixing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to stamp aflixing machines and has for its object the obtaining of a mechanism which is positive in its operation, simple in construction and which will perform the several operations of feeding the strip and cutting ofl the stamps, moistening' and aflixing.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central longitudinal section through the machine; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the mechanism; Figs. 3, 4:, 5 and 6 are views of a portion of Fig. 1, showing the parts in successive positions of adjustment; Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing the operation of the moistening mechanism; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the moistener mechanism; Fig. 9 is a section on line a2m of Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section, showing the feed mechanism; Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective views of portions of the mechanism, viewed from different points than in Fig. 2; and Fig. 13 is a section on line yy of Fig. 1.

My improvement relates to machines of that type in which the stamps are in the form of a continuous strip wound in a roll. The essential operations to be performed are first, accurate feeding of the strip to bring the end stamp thereof in position for aflixing and to effect an exact registration with the cut-0E mechanism; second, the severing of the stamp by the action of the cut-off,

third, moistening the gummed surface of the stamp, and fourth, pressing the cut-off moistened stamp in contact with the surface to which it'is to be aflixed. These several operations are performed by different groups of mechanism which are arranged to cooperate with each other in properly timed relation and all to be actuated by the movement of a single operating plunger.

In general construction, A is a frame preferably formed of parallel side plates and connecting cross-bars.

B is a vertical movable head which slid;

ably engages bearings on the frame preferably formed by the vertical slots C with which pins D are'engaged.

E is a plunger provided at its upper end with an operating handle E and at its lower end connected to the slide B.

. F is a spring connected to the slide and anchored at its upper end to the frame and serving to retract the slide and plunger.

The stamps to be affixed are fed from a roll G mounted on a pin G between the side plates of the frame and the end of the strip is led around a guide pin Gr and between guides H on a carrier H. This carrier is preferably pivotally secured at one end to the frame and at its free end has an engagement with the head B by which during the depression of said head the member H is swung downward again from its normally inclined position. The swinging of the carrier member H is utilized for feeding the stamp strip. This is accomplished through the cooperation of a feed pawl I pivotally attached to the frame and preferably to the spindle G which carries the stamp roll. The members H and I are ar ranged at such an angle to each other that during the downward movement of the carrier the pawl I will be retracted, and during the upward movement will be fed forward. This will cause the stamp strip to be advanced during the upward movement of the carrier so that in the next succeeding operation the end stamp of the strip will be in position for cuttingoff and affixing. It is essential that the severing blade should exactly register with the line of perforations between adjacent stamps and this is accomplished with my construction as the upward movement of the carrier has a definite limit which is the same after each operation of the machine, consequently the pawl I will always complete its feeding movement at the same point in the carrier which may be adjusted to correspond with the position of the cut-off blade. The engagement between the pawl and the stamp is formed by a series of pointed pins H carried by the free end of the pawl and pressed toward the stamp by the tension of individual springs H These pins extend transversely of the stamp strip and are so spaced from each other that several in the series will engage the perforations in the strip, thereby holding the latter in fixed relation. During the downward movement of the carrier the pins H are disengaged from the perforations of the strip by means of the switch cam I and cooperating pin 1 respectively on the members H and I. The

arrangement is such that the pawl is compelled to take a different path in the clownward movement of the member H from.,

that traversed in the upward movement, so that the backward feeding'of the strip is avoided. The movement of the pawl is of greater length than the difference between perforations on opposite sides of the stamp which will insure the reengagement of the pins H with. the strip in time to enter the perforations upon each forward and to retain engagement therewith until affixed to the envelop or other surface; the construction being as follows: The carrier .H is provided with side flanges K in which the guides for the blade J are formed, and adjacent to this blade is slidably secured a presser member L. This as shown is formed of a U-shaped member having its side flanges adjacent to the flanges K of the member H and its cross flange arranged parallel to the stamp strip but slightly above the path of movement thereof. L is a cross bar connected to the side flanges of the member L and having projecting ends engaging slots L in the side flanges K, the construction of said slots being perpendicular to the plane of the stamp strip. M is a cam slot formed in a downwardly extending flange B on the head B and through which the cross bar L passes. This slot M is so fashioned that in the initial downward movement of the plunger and head B the cross bar L will engage with a shoulder M at one end of the slot M, thereby coupling the member L with the head B and causing it to move downward therewith. This engagement is however, soon released by reason of the fact that the guide slot L in the flanges K extend at an angleto the portion of the slot M having the shoulder M with the result that v the pin-L will move laterally in the slot M until disengaged from the shoulder M. Beyond the'shoulder M the slot M has a vertically extending portion M which permits the downward movement of thehead B without imparting any movement to the rod L and at the upper'end of the slot M is a laterally extending portion M which will again actuate the rod L. The arrangement just de scribed is such that the initial downward movement of the plunger will carry with it the presser L, but after disengagement of the rod L from the shoulder M no further movement will be imparted to the presser until the engagement of the rod L with the laterally extending portion of the slot'M From this point on the presser L will move downward with the head B swinging with the member H from the center of the pivot G until it reaches a horizontal position.

The stamp holding means is associated with the presser. L and consists of a member N which is provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting pointed pins N which extend through slots in the member L. The member N 'is of a U-shaped form similar to the member L and has itsside flanges slotted at N for engagement with the rod L and permitting a slight independent movement. p

N is a spring for yieldably coupling the member N to the member L.

N is a dog pivoted to the member L and adapted to engage with the shoulder N on the member N to hold said member retracted from the member L against the tension of the spring N N is a spring for throwing the dog N into engagement and N is a stop or shoulder on the frame A which disengages the dog N from the shoulder B when the plunger E is in normal position at the upper end of its stroke. Thus at the beginning of the downward movement of the plunger the members L and N will move together, causing; the pins N which project through the member L to perforate the stamp and hold it during the operation of the severing blade J and the subsequent movement of the carrier H.

The blade J is actuated by the head B through the medium of a pawl O secured to the flange B and bearing against a shoulder O on the blade. On account of the angular relation of the blade to the direction of movement of the head B, this engagement of the pawl O is only temporary but is maintained for a sufiicient length of time to depress the blade and cause it to sever the stamp strip. The pawl 0 will then be disengaged from the blade and will not be reengaged until the completion of the cycle. During the initial operation of the members Land N and the severing blade J, the carrier H is locked from movement by a detent P on the side flange K'which engages a shoulder P on a pivoted'latch'member P The member P is subsequently disengaged by a cam l on the head Bengaging a bearing P on said member and the timing is such that the latch is disengagedjust before the cross bar L reaches the upper'end of the vertical portion of the slot M. Thus the carrier H will be free to move down- -movement of the latter contacts with severed stamp. During the engagement of the pins N with the stamp the latter rests upon a bearing Q on the carrier H.. This bearing must be removed before the stamp can be pressed against the envelop, and to this end it is laterally slidably secured to the carrier by pins Q engaging slots Q in the sides K.

Q are pins in the member Q engaging cam slots Q in the sides of the frame A and which are so fashioned as to cause the lateral sliding movement of the member Q. during the downward swinging movement of the member H. The presser member L is held from bearing against the member Q. while the latter is engaged therebeneath, by a latch dog R which is pivoted to the side K of the member H and has a detent R engaging a shoulder R on the member L. This dog thus limits the relative movement of the member L with respect to the member H until the member Q slides laterally out of registration with the presser L, but at the completion of this movement the dog R is tripped by the member Q engaging an arm R This will permit a subsequent free movement of the presser independent of the carrier H.

The gummed surface of the stamp is moistened during the downward movement of the carrier H by mechanism constructed as follows: S is a swinging arm pivoted at S near the upper end of the frame A extending downward in an inclined position to the right of the plunger and carrier. As

shown in Fig. 1, the lower end of the arm S has pivotally secured thereto, the wiper plate S which is yieldably pressed in an upward direction by a spring S and is limited in its movement by a stop S. T is a moistening pad against which the plate S is pressed and from under which it is drawn when the arm S is swung upon its pivot. This swinging of the arm is efiected by a cam U on the head B which is the downward a pm U on the arm S causing said arm to swing toward the carrier H against the tension of a retracting spring U The movement imparted to the arm S is suflicient to first draw the wiper S under the pad T and then move said wiper into contact with the gummed surface of the stamp against which it is pressed and held for an instant. The further downward movement of the head B will disengage the cam U from the pin U permitting the spring U to retract the arm S and withdraw the wiper S from beneath the stamp. This retraction of the arm is rendered positive by a cam V on the head B which will engage with the pin U and force the arm S backward.

The construction being as described, the operation is as follows: The roll of the stamp strip is placed upon the spindle G and the end of the strip after being drawn around the guide Gr is passed between the spring guides H on the carrier H. This will place the machine in condition for operation, each depression of the plunger E effecting the severing, moistening and affixing of a stamp, and during the return movement the feeding of the strip to bring another stamp in position for severing. In cletail the downward pressure on the plunger E first causes the shoulder M to bear against the rod L and to force said rod downward in the guide slots L while the carrier H is locked from movement by the engagement of the latch arm P with the pin P. The movement of the rod L carries down with it the members L and N and the pins N are caused to perforate the stamp and to pass into slots Q in the member Q. At the same time the downward movement of the head B causes the pawl O to engage with the severing blade J depressing this blade which is registered with a line or perforations in the stamp strip, and causing the severing of the stamp. The latter operation is not complete until the rod L has been disengaged from the shoulder M and has traversed the vertical portion of the cam slot M and just at the completion of this movement the cam P on the head B engaging with the bearing P on the latch arm P will disengage said latch arm from the pin P unlocking the carrier H. During the further downward movement of the plunger the carrier H will be depressed through the medium of the rod L while in engagement 'with the laterally extending portion M of the cam slot M, the member L and the dog R which latter couples the member L to the member H. Thus the presser L, the stamp and the carrier will move down together. During this portion of the cycle the member Q, is laterally withdrawn by the action of a cam slot Q engaging the pin Q? and simultaneously the engagement of the latch cam U with the pin U will cause the swinging of the arm S and carrying the wiper S beneath the pad T and into contact with the gummed surface of the stamp. A still further movement of the plunger releases the pin U from the cam U permitting the springs U to withdraw the wiper, rubbing it against the surface of the stamp and applying suflicient moisture thereto to render it adhesive.

The parts have now reached a position where the stamp is held in horizontal position directly above the surface to which it is to be applied. A slight further depres sion of the plunger causes the member Q to disengage the latch dog R which uncouples the presser L from the carrier H and permits the former an independent movement downward. This will press the moistened stamp against the surface of the envelop and the pins N will be disengaged by the resistance of the surface with which they contact, and the yielding of the springN Thus the affixing of the stamp is completed and upon releasing pressure upon the plunger the parts will be returned to normal position.

During the downward movement of the plunger in the operation just described, the pointed pins H of the pawl I have been disengaged from the stamp strip and held out of contact therewith while the pawl is moved backward, this being due to the switch cam I deflecting the pin 1 Upon the return movement of the plunger the pin I passes beneath the switch cam I thereby again bringing the pointed pins H into contact with the stamp strip over which they slide until they are engaged with the perforations in the strip. From this point onward the strip will be fed by the pawl and at the completion of the movement the perforations will be in perfect registration with the blade J in readiness for succeeding operation. The pins N are held out of the path ofthe stamp strip during the feeding movement by the operation of the dog N which engages the shoulder N when the pins N are forced backward by the resistance of the surface of the envelop. This dog remains in engagement during the upward movement of the carrier and thereby holds the pins N retracted. The member Q is returned to'its normal position during the upward movement of the carrier H by the reverse action of the cam slot Q but to prevent possibility of displacement of the end of the strip before the return of the member Q a guide member IV is preferably provided. This member consists of guide fingers W attached to a slide W upon the member H which is actuated by a spring W engaging an arm W and follows the member Q as it is retracted in the downward movement of the plunger. Upon the upward movement of the plunger and return movement of the member Q the member W is forced to its initial position, but during the interval in which it is projected forward the finger W will prevent the end of the stamp strip from turning downward and will force it to pass above the member Q.

The latch arm P not only looks the member H from downward movement,'but also serves to temporarily lock said member from upward movement so as to withdraw the presser from the path of the stamp strip before the beginning of the feeding moveinent. This locking is effected by the shoulder P on said' arm engagingthe pin P and holding it from upward movement until the cam P engaging the bearing 1 moves the latch arm to disengage the same.

One of the special advantages of the construction is the guarding of the stamps from theft. This is due primarily to the fact that the stamp strip is inaccessible, being guarded by the member Q during the initial 1,

movement of the mechanism, which member is not removed until the moistener is in. position and after the stamp is cut-0E. During the return movement of the plunger and the feeding of the stamp strip, the pins H of the pawl I are in engagement with the perforations of the strip and any attemptto draw out the strip by the advanced end thereof before the return of'the guard Q,

bination with a plunger, and a movable.

guide for the stamp strip, of cooperating means for advancing the strip along said guide during movement of the latter, a cutoff mechanism carried by said guide and actuated during the initial movement of the plunger for cutting ofl the end stamp, and sta gp aflixing mechanism carried by said gui e.

3. In a stamp affixing machine the combination with a plunger, of a swinging member carrying a stamp strip, means actuated by the depression of said plunger for cutting off the stamp from said strip and swinging said member to convey the cut off stamp to a fixing position, and a stamp moistener actuated by the depression of said plunger.

4:. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination with a plunger, of a swinging member actuated by said plunger and carrying a guide for the stamp strip, a cut-off, and retainingmeans for the cut-off stamp, means for locking said member from movement during the initial depression of said plunger, means operated during said initial depression of the plunger for successively operating the stamp retaining means and the cut-off, and means for unlocking and coupling said swinging member to said plunger upon the further depression thereof whereby said severed stamp is carried to the position for afiixing.

5. In a stamp aflixing machine, the com- Y bination with a plunger, of a swinging member having mounted thereon retalmng means for a cut-off stamp, a cut-off, a. stamp guide and a presser. foot, and connecting means whereby upon the depression of said plunger the end stamp is first engaged by said retaining means, the cut-off is then operated, the swinging member depressed to carry the cut-off stamp to affixing position, and the presser foot actuated to press the stamp against the surface to which it is to be affixed, and associated means for moistening the stamp and feeding the strip along said guide.

6. In a stamp aflixing machine, the combination with a plunger, of a swinging member arranged at an angle to the path of movement of said plunger and having mounted thereon a guide for the stamp strip, a cut-off, a presser foot and retaining means for the cutoff stamp, a connecting means whereby upon the depression of said plunger the retaining means is first actuated, then the cut-ofi', then the swinging member depressed and finally the presser foot operated, a guard and support for the cutoff stamp adapted to be withdrawn on the downward movement of said swinging 'member, and a moistener moving over the surface of the cut-off stamp upon the withdrawal of said guard and in advance of the completion of movement of said swinging member.

7. In a stamp affixing machine, the com bination with a plunger, of a swinging member carrying a stamp strip, means actuated by the depression of said plunger for out ting off the stamp from said strip and swinging said member to convey the cut-off stamp to afiixing position, and a moistener actuated by the depression of said plunger to wipe across the gummed surface of the cutoff stamp during the depression thereof.

8. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination with a plunger, of a swinging member carrying a stamp strip, cut-off mechanism for the stamp and retaining means for the cut-off stamp, means actuated by the depression of said plunger for first engaging said retaining means, then severing the stamp, then depressing said swinging member to convey the stamp to afiixing position, and a moistener actuated by the depression of said plunger to wipe over the gummed surface of the stamp while held by said retaining means and before the completion of the downward movement of said swinging member.

9. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination with a plunger, of a swinging member carrying a stamp strip, a cut-off, and retaining means for the cut-off stamp comprising a point for perforating the stamp,

' and means actuated upon the depression of said plunger for first operating said retaining means, then severing the stamp; and then depressing said swinglng member to carry the stamp to affixing position, and a moistener actuated by said plunger to wipe over the gummed surface of the cut-off stamp before the completion of the downward movement of said swinging member.

10. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination with a plunger, of a swinging member carrying a stamp strip, a cut-off, and retaining means for the cut-off stamp comprising a plurality of depressible points for perforating the stamp, means operating on the depression of said plunger for first pressing said point through the end stamp on the strip, then cutting-off the strip and then swinging said member to convey the stamp to aflixing position, and a supporting member beneath said end stamp during the engagement of said points therewith subsequently removed from the path of said stamp to permit the afiixing thereof.

11. In a stamp affixing machine, the combination with a plunger, of a swinging member carrying a stamp strip, a cutoff, a stam retaining means comprising a depressible perforating point, means operated upon the depression of said plunger for depressing said point, operating said cut-off and de pressing said swinging member to convey the'stamp to affixing position, a supporting and guarding member for said stamp during the operation of said depressible point and cut-off, removed upon the depression of said swinging member, and a moistener actuated by the depression of said plunger to wipe over the gummed surface of said stamp after the removal of said supporting and guard member and before the completion of the gownward movement of said swinging mem- 12. In a stamp aflixing machine, the combination of a movable guide for the stamp strip carrying a cut-off, a presser foot and a point depressible through an aperture in said foot to perforate the stamp, a plunger for first actuating said depressible point, then operating said cut-off, then actuating said movable guide to convey the stamp to affixing position, and then pressing said foot to aflix the stamp and disengage the same from said perforating point, means for holding said perforating point in a disengaged position during the return movement of said guide, and means actuated by said return movement of the guide for advancing the stamp strip therealong.

13. In a stamp aflixing machine, the coin bination of a swinging member having mounted thereon a guide for the stamp strip, a cut-off, a presser foot for the cutoff stamp, and a retainer having a point depressible through. an aperture in said foot to perforate the stamp, a plunger for depressing and returning said swinging member and for actuating the members carried thereby in the order of first depressing said point, then operating the cut-off, then swinging said member and then further depressing said foot to affix the stamp and disengage it from said point, means for withdrawing said presser foot and retaining point from the path of the stamp strip in said guide during the return movement of the latter, and co-acting means for feedingthe stamp along said guide during said return movement.

14. In a stamp aifixing machine, the combination with a frame having parallel side plates, of a swinging member pivotally mounted to and extending between said side plates carrying a guide for the stamp strip,

a cut-off anda presser foot, a head slidably connected to said frame, a plunger for de pressing said head, a cam carried by said head for actuating said swinging member and the parts carried thereby in conjunction and independently, said cam being engaged and disengaged from the respective parts'by the difierence in direction of movement of saidswingin'g member, a feed pawl for ad vancing the stamp strip upon the upward movement of said swinging member, a

copies at fl t: pltent may be obtained for moistener operating upon the depression 0 said plunger for wiping across the gummed surface of the cut-off stamp, and a moistener pad over which the wiper is drawn during position, and a moistener actuated'by the depression of, said plunger.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in'presence" of two witnesses.

' J OHN G. STRNAD.

lVitnesses:

J AMES P. BARRY, W. .T. BELKNAI".

five cents each,-by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D} 0. 

